Bayern Munich 3-1 SC Freiburg: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Bayern win 3-1 while giving players like Singh, Richards, and Jamal Musiala a run int he first team. Good squad management by Hansi — let the youngsters play now that the title has been won.
• Thomas Muller will be wondering how he didn’t come out of the game with a couple of assists or at least a goal. The raumdeuter put some passes on a platter for his teammates, which sadly weren’t converted.
• Robert Lewandowski continues his record breaking season. Unfortunately, it looks like Gerd’s untouchable record is gonna stay that way for the moment.
• Michael Cuisance wasn’t bad, but he seemed to be trying too hard at times. If he’d been calmer, he could’ve had a goal.
• Lucas Hernandez looked far more assured and stable at the back after his assist to Lewandowski. Perhaps his issues so far were a product of confidence issues, and the assist helped him get past his mental block.

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FT — Bayern 3-1 Freiburg.

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85’ — Chris Richards gets his debut for the first team! He comes on for Javi Martinez.

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78’ — We’re almost in the final 10 minutes and the game has slowed down considerably. Bayern are still looking for one last goal.

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63’ — Coman and Zirkzee come on for Sarpreet Singh and Cuisance.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime observations

• Thomas Muller is involved all over the pitch, but he’d missing the scorer points. C’mon man, just put it in the net!
• Sarpreet Singh has had a solid outing thus far, with some good passing and solid positioning. He faded a little in the latter part of the half, but hopefully that was just a quirk of the flow of the game.
• Lucas Hernandez was arguably at fault for Freiburg’s goal, but he redeemed himself with the assist. He really looks uncomfortable in 1v1 duels on the flank, center back is clearly the better spot for him.
• Joshua Kimmich is having another great game. His passing has been crisp and incisive, and his runs are great. It’s a good thing he’s made of steel too.
• Michael Cusiance isn’t bad as a winger. His crosses are dangerous and his linkup-play has been good. Could this be an option for him going forward?

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39’ — Kimmich in some pain after a rough tackle. Bayern plays the ball out of bounds as he shakes it off. Fortunately, he’s all right.

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37’ — GOAL! 3-1. Cuisance fights off a challenge to pass to an open Goretzka. Goretzka sprints up field and lays the ball off to Hernandez who races up the left completely unmarked. Hernandez sends in a nice cross, and Lewandowski’s toe does the rest.

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33’ — Goal. Freiburg score from the left to make it 2-1. Looks like they’re still in the game.

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24’— GOOOOOAAL!!! The Goal machine Robert Lewandowski scores his 32nd goal of the season! 8 more to go!!

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15’— GOAL!!! Kimmich the goal scorer!! Great team goal by fantastic build up play by Muller and Lewandowski! 1-0 Bayern!

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Kickoff — We’re underway in Munich!

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The lineup is out!

Having already clinched the Bundesliga championship, Hansi Flick is taking the opportunity to let some youngsters and some deserving veterans start. Sven Ulreich will be in goal today. Javi Martinez will appear at center-back. It is possibly their final game at the Allianz Arena. Lucas Hernandez is at left-back.

In midfield, Michael Cuisance will get an opportunity to show what he’s got against SC Freiburg, and 21-year-old Sarpreet Singh will play up top on the left wing. Go get ‘em, guys!

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Matchday! Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga with the midweek win against Werder Bremen, but Hansi Flick and his boys won’t take that as an excuse to go easy. There’s still the DFB Pokal and the Champions League to play for, and a game against Christian Streich’s Freiburg is a good way to prepare for both those competitions.

The Bavarians will be missing some key players — Alphonso Davies is suspended after getting two yellow cards against Bremen, while Serge Gnabry and Ivan Perisic are out with out with minor injuries. Thiago Alcantara still isn’t back after a groin surgery, and David Alaba is out with an ankle injury. This means that Hansi Flick needs to completely rethink his lineup. At the very least, he has Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski to work with, and the potential of putting Manuel Neuer in midfield. Let’s see how things go.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

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